Journal Entries
Normal Service Will be Resumed as Soon as Possible
Posted May 27, 1999
Well, folks, tough as it is to drag myself away, reality calls and I'm off for ten days or so. I've only got a couple of articles in the blender (and neither of them's a sure-fire winner) so who knows, maybe it'll give the overworked, underpaid editors a chance to reject one or both - and other people a chance to get the last word on some of the fora 
.
Just wanted you to know I wasn't being rude and ignoring any posts you made while I was away!
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Latest reply: May 27, 1999
You could have knocked me down with a bulldozer...
Posted May 26, 1999
If you're going to blow your own trumpet anywhere, it should be in your own room - so, since this is about me and no-one else is forced to come here, I am going to give a great big gobsmacked YYEEESSSS! to rating "pretty good" with the editors for my Venlo article. On that scale, when they read John-the-Gardener's stuff about the Grand River (if we can persuade him to submit it) they're just going to combust!
Coming back down to Earth about this, and if anyone else out there wants to feel how I'm feeling just now but keeps getting rejected, a quick analysis of some things I think helped:
I wrote about a real place on this Earth.
It's somewhere I've spent a fair amount of time, so I know a bit about it - but I didn't write EVERYTHING I know.
It's something most other people aren't going to know too much about - a subject like "The Internet" is always going to be hard to be definitive on. Look for the detail. Look for what you can teach us about.
I struck an appropriate mood - looking back on it I think a little too cynical, but the important thing is I didn't force it into a tone that wasn't naturally my own.
Some nice people visited, and were kind (and, I'd have to say, stimulated) enough to say nice things and even extend the discussion.
Oh, and I held the grammar together and spelt most of the words right.
That is my little empirical style guide. I have no illusions about the imperfections of this particular article. I don't think it's exceptionally insightful, funny, or profound - and I KNOW that both you and I can write better. Go now, and do so!
- Chuffed Gary
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Latest reply: May 26, 1999
But there aren't any REAL people here at all...
Posted May 24, 1999
It seems odd to say this with the whole world (theoretically) connected in, and all those researchers registered, and all those forum entries, but why does there only seem to be a half-dozen people really assessing, contributing and being mellow about the whole space, as opposed to the single-issue, I-can-shout-louder-than-you brigade?
Anyway, to those who are playing the game, thank you for your support. I'm trying to develop the inner calm and genuine interest in other people's opinions, but this is my first Bulletin Board experience since Uni (too many years ago to contemplate without a drink) and it's taking a while to get used to it all again.
And anyone who recognised the title as an original (radio series) guide quote gets a bonus point - with another to come if you tell me where it refers to.
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Latest reply: May 24, 1999
Cunning Plan
Posted May 23, 1999
It now occurs to me that I've found a key to immortality (two t's).
By putting up an entry on an unknown town that no-one will ever care enough about to look up, I've found a way to almost permanently inhabit the "5 most neglected" zone!
Sadly, I now seem t spend all of my time posting to fora and none on preparing incisive new contributions to the Guide itself. Chiz.
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Latest reply: May 23, 1999
Fame at Last
Posted May 20, 1999
So, I can confirm it really happens - it took about 10 days from submission, but I finally got an article in!
I do fear, though, that this may be a less than useful ploy by the editors - I for one am now fired up and ready to zap off a dozen more articles, thereby adding to the log-jam. Ho hum, they'll get there eventually.
Incidentally, sorry I've been away, but I was researching articles on Ireland for a week or so. I think I found the only bar in Temple Fortune which doesn't have good Guinness.
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Latest reply: May 20, 1999
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